Winslow Art Center will be closing between 3am and 4am Pacific Time (UTC-7, 6-7am Eastern, 11am-noon BST) for scheduled updates. Class recordings can be watched during this time, please click HERE for instructions.
Dates: Wednesdays, July 2-23, 2025
Time: 1:00-3:00 PM Pacific Time, 4:00-6:00 PM Eastern Time, 9:00-11:00 PM London Time
Level: All
Medium: Watercolor
Come join watercolorist, Susan Greenstein to explore ways of using limited palette and then move into full color. Throughout this 4-class course, we will explore the use of wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry techniques. We will also focus on “pulling” a wash which is useful in depicting objects as they move from darkness to light. We will spend time working on noticing the lightest areas, middle tones and dark areas and how we can use each to help “build” a painting. We will also discuss how to create an interesting composition. Susan will offer suggestions on how to arrange a palette, using tubes of watercolor as well as the types of paper and brushes that she uses and why. Whether you are new to watercolor, interested in revisiting the medium or just continue your journey, Susan’s class will be full of information. We will look at artists’ watercolors and learn how to “read” these paintings in terms of how they are created as we move through our own experiences with the medium. Time will be allocated for sharing work, questions and observations.
Week 1 – We will begin by exploring wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry watercolor. We will develop a value chart going from a dark grey to a light one. Susan will also show a way to mix your own grey for this painting, using primary colors. Susan will demonstrate how she begins a painting, drawing just enough so that she has a guide as to where to begin. She will be limiting color to light, medium and dark grey and the white of the paper. We will each have a still life set up with a few objects to work from for this painting.
Week 2 – For this week, we will be working with complimentary colors. Susan will give a short explanation of why we are choosing these colors and how to mix them. We will create a chart, working with each pair of complimentary colors, beginning with one of the colors and in several steps, by mixing different amounts of that pair of complimentary colors, move to the other color in that set. We will then begin a painting using a limited palette with one pair of complimentary colors. Susan will demonstrate before we begin. We will each have a still life set up with a few objects to work from for this painting.
Week 3 – For this session, we will work with analogous colors, (which are colors next to each other on the color wheel) We will discuss some of the differences from this grouping as compared to complimentary colors. We will create a chart, working with analogous colors starting with one color and moving to the other one in this pairing in a few steps, as we had with the complimentary colors. We will begin this painting using a wet-on-wet technique and analogous colors. Susan will demonstrate before we begin. We will each have a still life set up with a few objects to work from for this painting.
Week 4 – This week, the option to use full color will be suggested. However, participants may continue using the limited palettes introduced in previous classes if they choose. Susan will begin this demonstration without drawing and show how she develops her painting this way. We will also discuss layering – some of the advantages to layering and some of the problems that can arise from too much layering. Susan will demonstrate before we begin. We will each have a still life set up with a few objects to work from for this painting.
In stock
$295.00
Susan Greenstein lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. She received her BFA at Pratt Institute where she was exposed to many ways of working and looking at the world. A deep interest in pattern has been a constant inspiration for Greenstein. At times she finds these patterns while observing flora and architecture at how they are interwoven. At other times, Greenstein finds these patterns in a more abstracted form. This can especially be seen in her recent monoprints, which are inspired by memories of patterns.
About Our Online Classes:
Search Winslow classes by instructor, day, month, medium or keyword.
